AN ANTI-SOCIAL hot-spot in a Gwent town is about to benefit from a 24- hour CCTV monitoring system.

Campaigners and community leaders in Trevethin, Pontypool, have long been pushing for CCTV to beat the yobs in the community's central shopping centre - dubbed a "no-go area" by councillors and police.

Today local business people welcomed the news that council chiefs plan to give the project the green light within a matter of weeks.

Wendy Israel, who works at Trevethin's JH Bowen Pharmacy, described the long-term anti-social behaviour problems in the shopping area as "dreadful".

She added: "It has been shocking - aggressive behaviour from youths, who are abusive and threatening."

Jacqui Bridges, from Trevethin's Spar shop, agreed, saying the gangs of youths were a nuisance.

Funding is already in place for the new £10,000 system, thanks to Torfaen's community safety partnership, run by the council, police, and other community bodies.

Two dome cameras - affording a 360-degree view - will be installed by Chubb Security at either side of the problem area.

The cameras will be manned for 24 hours by staff at a Caerphilly council monitoring centre, which provides the same service for a number of other Valleys CCTV systems.

A planning application is to be recommended for approval by councillors on February 2.

Trevethin, along with neighbouring wards St Cadoc's and Penygarn, belongs to the Assembly-funded Communities First regeneration scheme, aimed at the most deprived wards in Wales.

Local co-ordinator for the initiative, Lisa Whittington, said CCTV was the number-one priority flagged up by residents fed up with the threatening and abusive behaviour of gangs of youths.

"We're working with the community so they can improve the quality of life for themselves," she said, adding: "Traders are keen to improve the area and make it more user friendly."

Torfaen's local members, Councillor Lewis Jones, the council's deputy leader, and Councillor John Marshall, along with community councillors Janet Jones, and Ian New, are backing the move.

"We've been pushing for this for a long time, and we're looking forward to the installation as soon as possible," said Councillor Marshall.

Superintendent John Burley told the Argus disorder in the area had already "diminished significantly" since new police powers were introduced a month ago to disperse gangs of youths.

He added: "The cameras will make sure these issues are resolved for good, so Trevethin becomes a better and a safer place to live."